Lauren Bacall -- great taste is easy to recognize, and so is Bacall's voice.

Lauren Bacall -- great taste is easy to recognize, and so is Bacall's voice.

Photo: UCelebrities

Lauren Bacall -- great taste is easy to recognize, and so is... Photo-5451432.73873 - Houston Chronicle

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James Mason -- a rich, flexible voice that you can hear as soon as his name is mentioned.

James Mason -- a rich, flexible voice that you can hear as soon as his name is mentioned.

Photo: Moviecrazed.com

James Mason -- a rich, flexible voice that you can hear as soon as... Photo-5451433.73873 - Houston Chronicle

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Jean Harlow -- not a pretty voice, but a distinctive one, though interestingly the voice we remember her for is not quite her real voice. Her real way of speaking was lower than we hear in the movies -- the only example of that is WIFE VS. SECRETARY, in which the comic actress played it straight. less

Jean Harlow -- not a pretty voice, but a distinctive one, though interestingly the voice we remember her for is not quite her real voice. Her real way of speaking was lower than we hear in the movies -- the ... more

Valeria Bruni Tedeschi -- most women who are noted for their voices have deep speaking voices. Tedeschi's is notably high -- and it forms an arresting counterpoint with her appearance, which is tall and strong. less

Valeria Bruni Tedeschi -- most women who are noted for their voices have deep speaking voices. Tedeschi's is notably high -- and it forms an arresting counterpoint with her appearance, which is tall and ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo, ONLINE_YES

Valeria Bruni Tedeschi -- most women who are noted for their voices... Photo-5451480.73873 - Houston Chronicle

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Isabelle Huppert -- the opposite of Tedeschi. Huppert is tiny, but her voice is deep and knowing.

Isabelle Huppert -- the opposite of Tedeschi. Huppert is tiny, but her voice is deep and knowing.